Quick Answer
The answer is to configure the "Require multi-factor authentication" grant control. This is the correct choice because MFA enforcement with Conditional Access grant control directly addresses the need to verify user identity through a second factor, such as a phone call or app notification, without introducing additional requirements like device compliance or authentication strength. On the Microsoft Cybersecurity Architect exam, this question tests your ability to match a straightforward security requirement to the simplest effective control, often appearing as a baseline scenario where the trap is overcomplicating the solution by selecting "Require authentication strength" or "Require compliant device." A strong memory tip is to remember that when the goal is purely to enforce MFA, the simplest grant control is the correct one—think "MFA first, complexity later."
This SC-100 practice question tests your understanding of design security operations, identity, and compliance capabilities. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
Your organization needs to enforce multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all users accessing sensitive applications. You plan to use Microsoft Entra ID Conditional Access. Which grant control should you configure?
Require multi-factor authentication
This grant control directly enforces MFA.
Require authentication strength (e.g., phishing-resistant MFA)
Why wrong: Authentication strength is a separate feature, not a direct grant control for MFA.
Require device to be marked as compliant
Why wrong: Device compliance is separate from MFA.
Use app enforced restrictions
Why wrong: App enforced restrictions are for session control.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Require multi-factor authentication
The question specifies a requirement to enforce MFA for all users accessing sensitive applications. In Microsoft Entra ID Conditional Access, the 'Require multi-factor authentication' grant control directly enforces Azure AD MFA (e.g., via Microsoft Authenticator, OATH tokens, or SMS) as the primary authentication method. This is the simplest and most direct control to meet the stated goal of requiring MFA, without adding additional constraints like device compliance or authentication strength levels.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Require multi-factor authentication
Why this is correct
This grant control directly enforces MFA.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Require authentication strength (e.g., phishing-resistant MFA)
Why it's wrong here
Authentication strength is a separate feature, not a direct grant control for MFA.
Require device to be marked as compliant
Why it's wrong here
Device compliance is separate from MFA.
Use app enforced restrictions
Why it's wrong here
App enforced restrictions are for session control.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates often confuse 'Require authentication strength' (which is a newer, more specific control for phishing-resistant MFA) with the general 'Require multi-factor authentication' control, leading them to select the more complex option when the question simply asks for MFA enforcement.
Detailed technical explanation
Under the hood, the 'Require multi-factor authentication' grant control triggers the Azure AD authentication session to evaluate the user's MFA registration status and prompt for a second factor if not already satisfied in the current session. This control works with any MFA method configured in the tenant's MFA settings, including phone call, text message, mobile app notification, or OATH token. A subtle behavior is that if the user has already performed MFA in a previous session within the same token lifetime (default 90 days for persistent browser sessions), the control may not re-prompt unless the session is revoked or the policy is set to 'Require reauthentication every time'.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A company's IT admin needs to give a contractor read-only access to production logs without sharing account credentials. Using role-based access control (RBAC) and temporary scoped permissions — not a permanent shared password — is the correct pattern. Questions like this test whether you can apply least-privilege access across cloud identity services.
What to study next
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FAQ
Design security operations, identity, and compliance capabilities — This question tests Design security operations, identity, and compliance capabilities — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Require multi-factor authentication — The question specifies a requirement to enforce MFA for all users accessing sensitive applications. In Microsoft Entra ID Conditional Access, the 'Require multi-factor authentication' grant control directly enforces Azure AD MFA (e.g., via Microsoft Authenticator, OATH tokens, or SMS) as the primary authentication method. This is the simplest and most direct control to meet the stated goal of requiring MFA, without adding additional constraints like device compliance or authentication strength levels.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Same concept, more angles
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. Your organization needs to enforce multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all users accessing Microsoft Entra ID integrated applications. However, users in the finance department should be exempted from MFA when accessing a specific legacy financial app that does not support modern authentication. What should you design?
easyWhy D: Option B is correct because Conditional Access policies allow granular control, including exemption for specific applications. Option A is wrong because security defaults would apply MFA to all users and apps with no exemption. Option C is wrong because per-user MFA is outdated and does not offer app-based exemptions. Option D is wrong because Identity Protection is for risk-based policies, not app exemptions.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
This SC-100 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Microsoft certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the SC-100 exam.
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